:root {
  /* Warm off-black base rgba(26,20,16,x) — never pure black. */
  --shadow-1: 0 1px 2px rgba(26, 20, 16, 0.06);
  --shadow-2: 0 4px 12px rgba(26, 20, 16, 0.08);
  --shadow-3: 0 12px 32px rgba(26, 20, 16, 0.12);
  --shadow-4: 0 24px 64px rgba(26, 20, 16, 0.16);

  /* Contained rust glow — CTA only, never on light grounds. */
  --shadow-cta: 0 0 24px rgba(168, 84, 50, 0.40), 0 4px 12px rgba(168, 84, 50, 0.25);
  --shadow-cta-hover: 0 0 48px rgba(168, 84, 50, 0.45);

  /* Inner light on pressed-vellum cards */
  --shadow-inset-vellum: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.40);
}